Clutch and transmission operating mechanism



Aug. 5, 1952 E. R. PRICE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION OPERATING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9. 1947 INVENTOR. 534/34 A? Pew:-

Arrow/5y Aug. 5, 1952 E. R. PRICE I 2,605,874

CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 9, 194'? 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 w M5 W? W 4/ W w .92? J/HA a j /7/' /4/ w 41/ I /43 [43 /67 4( I 53/ MI! W Z 3/ mag-Yaw: MP/K Arrawvs y Aug. 5, 1952 E. R. PRICE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION OPERATING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 9, 194'? IN V EN TOR. Pew:

,4 7'7'O/?N Y E. R. PRICE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION OPERATING MECHANISM Aug. 5, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 9. 194'? -4 INVENTOR. 5441 AZ 'PB/C'E E. R. PRICE 2,605,874

CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION OPERATING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 5, 1952 Filed April 9. 1947 I lllllllllllllll'w'ila l MM I 46' A I 3 i 34 g- 1952 E. R. PRICE 2,605,874

CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 9, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ay 1 w /4/ 99 Patenteci Aug. 5, 1952 CLUTCH AND Earl R. Price, South Bend, Ind.,

TRANSMISSION OPERATING ECHANIsM TENT assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, 11211., a; I corporation of Delaware Application April 9, 1947, SerialNo. 7 40,430

i Claims. (01. ,192--;092i

Thisinvention relates in general to the power transmission mechanism of the power plant of an automotive vehicle and in particular to power and manually operated means for operating the change. speed transmissionof said power plant and-for operating the throttle and the friction clutch to facilitate theoperation of the trans: mission.

One of the objects of my inventionis to provide', in an automotive vehicle including afluid coupling and a three speeds forward and reverse transmission,. a simple mechanism, power operated inpart, for operating said transmission, all of the settings thereof being eifectedby a manual operationof said mechanism if the driver desires-,to so operate the mechanism, and the second and high gear settings of the transmission andthe operation of. the throttle and friction clutch to facilitate said settings, being effected by power means if the driver .electsthis operationot the mechanism. 7

A further object of my invention is to provide, in an automotive vehicle including a fluid coupling, an accelerator, a friction clutch, an

engine controlling thrott1e,,a three speedsfor ward and reverse transmission, and a. gear shift lever, means for operating and for'facilitating the operation of said transmission, said means including. power: means, comprising two separate pressure differential operated motors one of which is automatically operable, when the gear shift lever is placed in a certain position and after, theaccjelerator is released, to establish the transmission either in its'seeond gear setting or itshigh gearsetting depending upon ,the speed ofthe vehicle, the friction clutch and the throttle being operated by theother ofqsaid motors to facilitate this operation of the transmission, said means further including manually operated means for eifecting any one of the gear settings of the transmission.

Another object of my invention is to provide, in. an automotive vehicle including a power plant comprising a fluid coupling, a friction clutch, a gearshift lever, an engine controlling throttle, a, vehicle speed responsive governor and a change speed transmission, manually and power operated. mechanism for operating the transmission to alternately effect'two of its settings and for operating the throttle and clutch'to facilitate said operation of the transmission, said mechanism including a doubleacting pressure diiferential operated motor operably connected to the transmission and a single acting pressure differential operated motoroperably connected to the clutch and throttle, said motors being oper ative, in one cycle of operations,- todisengage the clutch, the throttle' b'ei'rig held closed during said operation, 'then 'oper'ate the transmission to establishsneer: the otherof the aforementioned two settings, the'n're-engag'e the clutch ina pluralit'y of stages of operation, and one of the princi al objectsof my inventio'n'is to include' in said mechanism a simple electrical means operative, with certain operations of switcheso erated by the 'gear shift lever, the governor", the aecelerator, and one of the motors, to initiate and complete the aiorementioned oycie or operations" of said motors The principal object of my invention however is to provide, in the pbwerplaiit otan automotive vehicle, power means for shuttling" the change speed transmissionof the vehicle'b'ack and'forth between two of its" settings, the throttle and friction clutch of the" power plant being operated to facilitate said operation of the transmission, said power means including. two separate motors, one for operating the clutch and throttle and the other for "operatingthe transmission;

the operation- 'oisthetra'nsmission and; incidental operationofthe throttle and'clutchbeing effected'in one 'cycle'of operations;

I other objects of the invention and desirable details ofeonstruction and combination of parts of the aforementionedmechanism, including the provision of a, transmission controlling dash pot mechanism; will become apparent from the fol-'- lowingdescription of a preferred embodiment of myinve'nti'on, which description is taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings-,vin which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of my invention disclosing the principal features thereof;

Figure 2 .is a wiring diagram of the electrical mechanism disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view disclosing details of oer-tainof thecontrols operated by one of the motors and also disclosing the accelerator operatedflswitch of my invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of the mechanism disclosed in Figure 3,

Figure 5" isa sectional view, taken onthe line 55 of Figure '7', disclosing details of the clutch and throttle operating pressure differential op er'ated motor of my invention;

' Figure 6 is" a view, partly in sectionand taken on the line 6--8 of Figure 7, disclosing details of the air transmitting ducts constituting part of the motor unit disclosed in Figures 5 and '7; 'Figure- Tis a view, largely in section, disclos- Figure is a front view, taken on the line l0l0 of Figure 8, of the mechanism disclosed in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a view disclosing details of the governor operated switch of the mechanism of my invention;

Figure 12 is a sectional view disclosing in detail the accelerator operated breaker switch mechanism of my invention; and,

:Fi -urel3 is a plan view of the switch mechanismof-Figure 12., V r

"Referring now to Figure 1 disclosing a preferred :embodiment .of myv invention, 7 a three speeds forward and reverse transmission we: any well known design is operated by means of a manuallyzoperatedcrank I12 and a manually and poweroperatedcrankl4,-the crank I2 serv- ,ing to, operate the shift rail selecting mechanism of the transmission and the crank I4 serving to operate-that part of=the transmission functioning tomove the selected rail to establish the transmission in the desired geargratio. With such a transmission the crank [4 must be moved tOfitS transmissionneutral position to neutralize the-transmission before the shift rail selecting .crank;l2 may be operated. i

My invention has'to do with the manually and power operated'means for actuating the aforementioned transmission operating cranks l2 and I4,' for operating the enginev throttle valve iii of the carburetor I7, and for operating a conventionalfriction clutch, not shown, said clutch in- ,clu'ding cthe usual driving and driven plates forced intoengagement by clutch springs. The; aforementioned transmission and theclutch as-well as the hereinafter referred to fluid coupling are of conventional design, accordingly, no claim is .made'thereto and the same are not disclosed in the drawings. The mechanism of my invention falso' preferably includes, in the power plant of the vehicle, a fluid coupling such for example as that Twhich was incorporated in several 1941 and 1942 passenger vehicles and said coupling includes an imp'eller and a vaned rotor the latter serving to drivethe aforementioned driving plate of the clutch. I V

The friction clutch, not shown, is operably connected to a clutch throw out shaft l8 to which is keyed a sleeve l9; and to crank 20, fixedly secured to said sleeve, there is pivotally connected a'ro'd' 2|. The rod 2| is pivotally connected to -a crank 22 which is keyed to a shaft 23; A sleeve 21 covering the shaft 23 is operably connected to a crank 28 bymeans of a crank 29 fixedly secured to said sleeve and a rod 30 which is pivotally connected to the cranks 28 and 29.

. The sleeve 211s operably connected to a piston 3| ofa' clutchand throttle operating pressure differential operated 'motor 32, by means of a twoarmed crank 33 fixedly connected to said sleeve and by meansoi' a rod 34 pivotally connected-at one of its endsto the longer arm of the crank 33 and secured at its other end to the piston. Ylheshorter of the two arms of the crank 33 abuts 4 a pin 35 which is preferably rotatably mounted, at one of its ends, in one end of a. rod 36, said rod being connected at its other end by a lost motion connection 31, to a manually operable clutch pedal 38. This pedal constructed as a two-armed crank member, is rotatably mounted on the shaft [8 and is fixedly secured toa sleeve 38 which is also rotatably mounted 'on said shaft. The other end of the pin 35 is pivotally connected to a crank 39 which is keyed to the shaft 23.

There is thusprovided manually and power operated means for operating the clutch, the

pedal 38, by virtue of the operation of the lost motion connection 31, remaining stationary when the motor 32 isenergized to disengage the clutch.

Describing now that part of the power means of'my invention serving to operate the transmission, there is provided a double acting pressure differential operated motor 40 including a casing 4| and a diaphragm 42, the latter being preferably connected'. to a three-armed transmission operating crank 45. 'As is'disclosed' in Figure 1, one ofthearms of the crank 45 is pivotally connected to a crank 40' by a link 12' and the other two arms of the crank-.5 are pivotally connected to the links 43 and 44. A power operated double three-way valve 45' serves to'coritrol the operation of the motor 40, said valve including a casing '46 bored to receive areciprocable valve member 4 extending from one end of the armature 41 of a solenoid 48. As will be d'escribed hereinafter, valve members 49 and 50 secured to the member 4'6; serve to control the fio'w of air into and from themotor=40. v

Briefly des cribing the operation "of' 'the transmission operating "motor 40 and its control val've 45, when the solenoid 48 i'senergized, an operation; which is effected as a part of the operation of establishing the transmission in high gear, the valve members 49 and EQare moved to'the positions disclosed in Figure 1; thereby connecting a control chamber 5|, ofthe motor 46 with a'chame ber [ll of the motor 32 via a conduit 52,.valve chambers 22'- and 53 and a conduit 54; 'A cham- 'ber 5 5 of the motor 40 is at this'time vented to the atmosphere via a conduit 55, a valve chain b'er 51' and a duct 53. When the solenoid 48 is deenergized to establish the transmission in its second gear setting, a spring 59 serves to move the armature 4'1 downwardly to seat the valve member-s49 and 50upon seats 49' and 6|, respectively, therebyventing the motor chamber 5| to the atmosphere via conduit 54,,valve chamber. 53 and duct 62 and connecting the motor chamber'55' with-the source of vacuum, that is, chamber III of motor 32, via conduit .56, valve chambers 51 and 22and conduit 52.

Describing now that part of the mechanism. of my invention which is actuated by a, manually operated gear shift lever 52', Figurev 1, said mechanism includes a rotatable and bodily movable shaft 32 extending alongside the steering column 34 of thevehicle. As is disclosed in Figures 1, 3 and 9, the shaft 32' is biased downwardly by a spring '36 positionedbetween a stopfZ mounted on the steering column and a crank member 40' which is operably connected to said shaft by means of a clutch mechanism 42 described hereinafter. The shift lever 52 mounted beneath the s teeringwheel 45 is so connected to the shaft 32' that a rotation of said lever in a plane parallel to said wheel effects a rotation of said shaft about its longitudinal axis in the operation of either neutralizing the transmission or 3 establishing the same a gear" setting; and

this connection between theshiftlever and shaft 32 is also. such that the cross*-shift-movement of the shift-lever, that is: the-movementzina, plane perpendicular-to the plane of'the steeringcolumn; results in a movement of 'thesha'fi'y 32' to either efiectashift rail selecting operation of the crank 22 or effect a declutching-opcration of' theclutch 4 and a closing of; a selector-switch 4-1 to prepare themechanism tor its power operation. I

Describing the aforementioned clutch" mechanism 42", said mechanism includes a member 44 sleeved over thelower end of the-shaft- 32 said 40. The lower-end portion of' the.

nism which is biased downwardly by the operation of-the-spring 36". 'The upper arm- 60'" of a bell crank: lever 6-2 fitsWithin'the-spool-shaped portion of the-clutch memb'erM andthe lower arm 64' of the-said leveris pivotallyconnected, by a link- 66, to the 1 shift rail selecting crank I2; As -isdisclosed in Figure 8,-the sprihgfl serves to bias the-clutch" 42'- and shaft 32' as -a unitdownwardly, the movement-being limitedby a-stop 68; Figure-9,v constituting a part or a steering" column mounted; j bracket member T0 and Lin: this position of the clutch-42f the shift rail selector" crank I lis actuated to prepare the transmission 'for either a second gear or high gear operation,.sai'di op;

eration of course depending upon: the subsequent actuation of'theshift' rail operatingcran-k N5.

To actuate the crank l-Z to prepare the-trans-.

missi'on for either a low gear or reverse gearope oration, that is, a selection of: the. low andreverse 1 gear shift rail of the'transmission, thev driver lifts} the shift lever 52 upwardly irra plane perpen-I dicular 'tothe plane -of'the steering :wheel'; and thisoperation serves to"rotaterthe. bell crank lever 62 in a counterclockwise direction, Figure 8; the spring 36. 'beingcompressed: and: the flange 1 46' Figure 9', being: moved into engagement'with To 8.013113178517116 shift rail operatithestop- 68 ing crank I lto neutralize. the: transmission or establish thesame in any. one: of its four gear ratio settings; the driver rotates the-shift lever.

5 2"" in a plane parallel to; the/plane; of? the; steer)? ing: wheel. thereby effecting: an angularmoveement'of the crank 40; which ispreferably connected to the: crank-1' 14-. by: force transmitting means including" link 12 the' aforementioned three armed leverv and thelinktM-r There'is thus provided; by the above-described mechanism, means: for manually operating :a

three speeds forward: and. reverse transmission;

andpin this manual operationofthe transmis siorr the shiftxlever- 5:2 is positions, said selective movementvoutlining the letter H r Referringnow to Figures-Band ithereis disclosedtherein details of certain other controls of; the mechanism disclosed in Figure 1;. A sup p'ortzmemb'er' serves-as a mounting. for ashaft 5."|" andca'shaft 59,. said-shafts-being 'journalled in the. sides or said support member. Theishait 59. is-operably connected to. the throttle valve: It by cranks 80 andBl and a.1i-nk.83.-. A two-armed movable to six. different disclosed in Figure 3 a coil spring 89, sleeved: over crank 60, rotatably.mountecliontheshait'.591aiid operably' connected; to; the-accelerator 6270f the car by a link 6411s provided with aalaterally ex;- tendingflange 66? within which is. adjustably mounted stop member- 68: This stop-member is biased,v bythe operation of an accelerator return spring 89, intov engagement with mange member 12' extending laterally from a u-snapeu fitting-I3 fixedly secured to the. shaft 59; From the fitting 13" there extends-a flange 14': which is provided at its end with a rollermemberflii. This: roller: member is r contacted by: a cam: '11 which is fixedly mounted-on; the shaft- 51; and mounted alongside thecam 1.1 there'is provided asupport 18 which isals'o fixedly mountedonthesh'aft'5'l'. Thereis-adjustablymounted in the support 18- a set screw 19 adapted at its inner end to contact a U-shaped member 84 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 5'! and which is biased clockwise into engagement- 'with the set screw-19' by a spring 85. -A cam 8fii 'secured to the member 84, contacts a pin 8.1 extending frdm the movable: contact, not shown, of a breaker switch 88; and this contact is'biased; by a'spring, not shown, to its switch open position and is moved to its switch closed position by the spring operated cam 86 which is shaped to effect a clossl-ng' of'the" switch during a part of the clutch engaging movement 'of the motor :pistonxilz.

There is provided by 'the switch -88 and the. cam means-for operatingthe same, meansfor' co'ntrolling the operation of, a choke valvexoperatingsolenoid" I35, Figure '7; to. effect a controlled clutch engaging operation of'the motorfSZ: The parts, includingthecontour of'the.-face ofthe cam 88; are preferably so-"construc-tediandiam ranged and so operativethat the." solenoid l35iis energized, to' move a valve" member; 131 away from a seat I31, during-the clutch. engaging: movement\ of the piston 3 I said operation; being effected just as the piston-reachesithe point of clutch plate contact; and! asrstated abbvezzthe partsare also so constructed and: arranged and so. operative thatthe switch 88' is subsequently opened, to effect azde-energization of ther'solenoid- F35r duringsaid: clutch engagingtrmovement of said: piston. When the valve I31. is'move'd; of! of-a seat-139; Figure '7, air'rushes'into' the; motor 32- at arelatively high: rate to. thereby effect-a relatively rapid clutch engaging movement of 'thechitch driven plate; and'when the valve j.l3- l is seated on-the seat-|39 air flows into the motor 32 via-:a relatively small. openingtll; Thegzsolenold': I35 and. valve. means'forr controlling-:the

1 operation of themotor-GZ, are-described iii-greater: detail hereinafter; v p I Continuing the description of the mechanism the-hub of'the crank 60, is connected-at one of its ends to-the memberl3 and-the.- other end of. said. springabuts' the outer face ..of the flange 66:.on said crank. Thereis. thus provided by the spring; B'Qvand' cooperating part s.;inc1uding-the cam 11, means, interconnecting. the accelerator and throttle whereby the accelerator-may berde! pressed without efiecting an. opening. ot the throttle when the motors 3'2 and. 40 are. energized tosuccessively. disengage the clutch and operate the transmission; for with the firstincrement of clutch disengaging movement of the piston 3i, the cam 11 is rotated counterclockwise, Figure .4, thereby providing, by its end :portionA, Bastop to prevent a clockwise. rotation, that. is', throttle opening movement; of: the accelerator operated flange 14 Anditisia be noted atithisiuncture .7 that-"when: the accelerator is depressed to cock the spring v89 and-the motor 32 is de-energized to effect a re-engage'ment-of the clutch, the cam .11 is rotatedclockwise, Figure 4, to effect a con- .trolled iopening .of'the throttle as the clutch plates move into contact with eachother, a-se ment B, C ;.of said cambeing shaped to effect thisoperation; "Prefe'rabl'y all points along the segment A,,B,jof the cam TI are equally distant from the center of 'rotation'ofjsaid cam; and the radiusof the cam'from'the' point Bto the point-C progressivelydecreases.' There :is thus provided, by. the operation: of the sector A B of the cam :TLa stop means operative to prevent,

,an opening of the throttle when the clutch is being disengaged and during the engagementof the clutch as the driven clutch plate moves up to afpoint just short ofv engagement with the driving clutch plate; and the;subsequent operationwof the segment ,B,--C of saidcam serves to make. possible a progressively; increased opening ,of-the throttle, by the operation of the accelerator loaded spring 89, astheclutohplates move into driving engagement with eachother. Completing the description of the mechanism ,of Figure 3,a switch operatingmember 9|, rotatablyzmounted ,on-the shaft 5I,aisbiased, by a coil-spring 92, to rotate in'counterclockwise dirction', Figure ,4; and the lower end of the mem ber QI-isgadjustably connected to the upper arm of: the two-armedacranktll bymeans ,of a set screw 91 which is adjustably. mounted on the member-9|;- The upper endof'the switchoperat ing member 9I abuts the. lower end of a pin 94 which is connected to the-movable contact of-a cutin switch mechanism -95; The breaker switch :88l-is of standard constructionaccordinglythe same is :not-zdisclosediin detail; and the switch mechanism 95 is disclosed in detail in Figures 'l2land 13a This mechanism includes-a casing 89' housing three movable contacts 90,9 I and 92 'pivotally' mounted, at one ofwtheir endsyto posts extending from the'casing; and said posts are electrically connected, respectively, to the casing to provide a groundconnectiomto the conductor I41 and'toa conductor 99' connected to the switch 413' Fixed contacts 933.94 and 95' mounted in the casing 89" are electrically connected', respectively, to a conductor I85 connected to the switch 88; a conductor I63 and a conductor I69. A bar 81 laid upon the contacts-90,9I' and 92""is preferably connected to the pin 94 by a unive'rsal joint 94; and springs 91, interposed betweensaid contacts and the base of the casing 89', servew bias the contacts out of engagement with the fixed contacts of th'e'switch mechanism. "There is thus provided by the cutin switch mechanism 95, three separate switches s0,- s5';

"94, 9| and 92, 93', all-of which are closed when the accelerator is released and opened by the springs 91' when the"ac'c'elerat or is depressed. The" switch 88 preferably includes a movable contact'and' a fixed contact, the movable contact being biased to its switch open position by a spring within the switch.

'j The valv" means for'coiitrolli'ng the operation o'fthe'moto'r' 32 is disclosed in detail in Figure 1'1 'and includes a'th'ree-waylfvalve unit 99 'andla choke valveunit I01. Both units are housed within, a casing I03 preferablymounted on the casing'of the'motor 32.' The c'asing' I03 is preferably portedat I95 to provide a vent'tothe atmosphere, atIIJStoreceiVe a duct I99 leading 'to'acont'rol compartment III of the motor, and at I I3to'receive a conduit II5"lead ing to the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine ofv the; vehicle oriother: source of vacuum. The three-way valve unit 99 includes a valve member I 'opera'blyconnected tozthe armature I I9 of asolenoid I2I' which is secured to the casing I03. When the solenoid I2I isyenergized, the valve member, II'I iswmoved downwardly, Figure '7, to leave ya seat. I23 and abut aseat I25; and when said solenoid isde-energized a spring I21 serves to return the-valve-member to its seat I23. The choke yalve unit IIH includes the aforementioned valve. member I 3| which is operably connected to the'armature I33 of a solenoid I35 secured to the valve-casing I03. As previously briefly described, when the solenoid I35 is energized, the valve, member I3I is moved off ofa seat I31 onto a seat-I39; and when the solenoid I35 is deenergizedayspring I4I serves to return the valve member I 3 Ito its seat I 31. e,

The electrical means for controlling the operationof the solenoids 48, HI and I35 constitutes one of the most important features of my invention,,said* electrical meansbeing disclosed in Figures l and 2. Describing-this control means, the movable contact I4! of a selector switch I43, Figure 11,,operated'by a vehicle speed responsive centr-ifugally operated governor I45 is grounded at I43,'.,'said'ground connection including a conductor I4I- and said :movablecontact isalso electrically connected, by th conductor I 63, with the contact 94' of the accelerator operated switch 9|, 94'.- As described above, the other contact 9| of the latter switch is wired, by-a conductor I41, to afixedcontactlfil of a-rotary selector switch I69 operated by the motor 40. a As is apparent from an inspection of Figure ll'the movable contact I4! is moved, by an operation of the centrifugal weights,-into contact with fixed contacts-l59 and I59; when thevehicle is traveling above governorspeed, that is, the speed of the vehicle to effect a high gear operation of theshifter mechanism of my'invention; and said contact I4! is biased downwardly by a springv I48; to the positions disclosed in said figure.

fixed contact I51 of the governor switch. I43 is wired, by a conductor -I6I',- to a, contact I65 of the switch mechanism I69; and-the movable contact I41 of the'governorswitch I43 is electrically connected, by a fixed contact I99 and the conductor I693 to the aforementioned con tact 95' of the accelerator operated'switch 90, 95'; As described above,-;the contact of the latter switch is preferably wired, by a conductor I 45", to ground. A movable contact III of the switch I69, connected to the transmission oper'- ated crank I4 by a'link .I'I3,'is contactable at one of its ends with the' contacts I65 and I 61 of said switch and also witha grounded contact I79 of the switch {and at its other end said'movable contact I'II is" at all times in contact with a conductor I 'II of the switch I69. The conductor I'II is preferably electrically connected to the solenoid I2I by a conductor I'I-I. As disclosed in Figures 1 and 2 the movable contact III is wired in series with a grounded battery I49, the ignition switch I49 of the car, the manually operated selector switch 41, and the solenoid I2I. As disclosed in Figure 2, the switch 92', 93 of the accelerator operated switch mechanism 95 is preferably connected in series withthe choke switch 88, the grounded choke solenoid I35 and the selector switch 47'; and completing the description of the electrical mechanism of my invention, the solenoid 4.8 is electrically connected, by a conductor 8|,to'the conductor I63 of the operation; of th and by, aconductor 33' totheiselector switch 411.1

- There is thusqprovidedg inthe, valve operating;

solenoids 48 and, i21 electro magnetic" meansiers controlling" the operation;I of the clutchgand throttle operating motor 3-2 and the transmissionoperating motor 40-; and there, is also provide/if in the motor operatedrotary sele'ctor'switch M9, the two-switches of. the governor operated switch M3, the twoaccelerator operated switches 91",,

94-12 and'QD, 9'5 andthe selector switch" M, means for" controlling the operation of the solenoids Ml and: t2! lto efiect the above describedcycleof operations of the latter being alternately established;siintwozcf its settings. The choke valve operating solenoid I35, and the switches 92, '93f1.a'nd' 8'8; forv con-i trolling the same, may also be includedin the mechanism to efiec't a smooth engagement-of the clutch. Each of the: governor operated switches with the rotary selector switch 1-69; said governor operated :switchesare electrically connectecl,in parallel; and the; solenoid; fi8-iselectricallygconnected parallel with} the switch 168;; the operation of said sol'enoidibeingin large measure controlled byiithe, operation oi;. -the grounded- 1 assumed that the three speeds forward and-- re verse transmission to is; neutralized anclthat the car is at astandstillw-ith the engine idli-n said;

thereby making of the intalsemanitold oi v 7 n in source o acuum-H h rir rtw il then probab y w t sta h-l hs tran s io its low s a set n he eup n he w -lfi1r1 tm m1r a ly-s r s r cl tch e am to d en a emel i lians .Wi t e. 11 o manu efiect i ettm will then bedepress ecl as'tliecl iii-h is Wes hssaw d War; as ar car speed is reached, the shift le've en a d desired pedal are again operated to I V m s n eits t rear e t n -1 .ffi si then; under vay'in second gear at the desired eea d ive Wil bably W t bett 'l e transm sio a d-d accordinglyto efiect: this result he will an-o r;

inovethe shift'j sa q he i th an lever;v 9; its automatic positio V c A thatfifs' onegof thesix selective positions oi" said lever.

nescribingthe latter obeiationtiishiit lever 52, which at the timeis in its second gear setting, is rotated downwardly; that; is, angularly in a lo w se: r p ionzin; a lanet e pen i l t0. the'plane of; the steering whe l ;-,andthis opera- -se ve t b di yinwv wi he t fl t 1.

wardly until a; switch operating;

me b r '2 Figure 8,- is operative to close-thee his p'er io o sti ute d lutc i s n rethe clutch member. 52: moving-away iromithe; clutch,mem-

ber' 44', the movement of the'latter being" protionoi;; .the clutch mechanism; 42',

vented by the stop 3687.; y i. 4 Referring to Figures 8' audio" there is disclosed a latch mechanism for holdingtheshift' lever imitszautomatic position; said mechanisnt in clud'ing -:a relatively narrow rectangular; shaped support member: 228 preferablyodetachablyflse by a bolt 323-95 cured: to the bracket member T and there is I mounted 'on1 said-support member;

spring- 236, a movable-latch member, 2-38 shaped clutch and" transmission; the:

it e i l il i l 'e f The accelerator witch 52- i s moved to its automatic position arelatively narrow wedge shaped; flange portion M2 of themember v 238 ..is; rocked and/01f bodily lifted; against 'thextension' oi the spring itii' by v hefl J m e a n; o v eshin d ee iph ml-z edge portion 244' of a; stop member-2K6 which is; secured to,the-;pin'5-6{ Figure 9, between the lower flange portion -pi the clutch; member 52" and the nut 58%;. and this operation; to position said peripheral edge; portion 2 34 in the space indicated; by. the reference numeral 2&3", Figure 8. Incidentally; the shirt raiselecting mechanism of; the transmission .and th'e cooperating transmission-.gparts are so; vconstructed. that the crank 62? maybe moved beyond its sec- 0nd and highshift rai'l selective position inteffect ing the above described automatic-settin Of: t the shift lever iaia'to Lits secondiandx highi shiitirailgpositioni that is, the positiorr preparing. the: transmission; for either second or. high gear-"operations ,;.It: follows therefore thatxthe stop member zetlm'ust-i be-rotated clockwise in Figure 10' so that themen'lber 25 0 vvi1l' clear the member 24%) before hift lever ma be moved downwardlyzito. tomati position; that'iis; "the 1 position; Itov the switch 412 tan'da: it. becomes: apparent the -ain't) desb'fiption. that'ftheiip'arts-ofi the time "anism-ar o constructed and arranged that: a'u'tomatl setting: o'f-the shiittlever; may.

effect amer said shift-lever has-been setting; Referring to Figure 10 of' the:- postion or the partsythat is "stop- 254 on the member eof the members 223 and 23% affd tli Stop in bet 2 50 be positioned" 136 the fightf t-He' efiibr 2401- oompmmn ithe vies-discrete to io htafit dfie s'ide of-the members the shift-lever ismoved to pbsitibri o'hof m ftp-amt or "11g moved' the" shift 1st to itis afitdrfiat the caristravelin 'abiilve" erat'or ltd" close theiswitdlr operation an,electrical circuit grounded eatery; m the may the c'losed' selector l2l,.' je i thenr closed a'oceleratoroperate switchelfgpt t grounded 1 switch [473 15 "I; 15 91 of the governor" operated;

s Hi3, and theswitl'i |-t1j,;|jn of the switch mechanism VIBQI; Ari electrical circuit is also tomplted' via the; s retc 4'8}; to effect an energiz'a. at e the: th if ns operation. otthe three-way valve; St -Fleur? vThefleets: an

' a t -Bethe i t n 3|- f: t

ubjected'gto; a differential hes me to the1 it,:Fisu es asidetithe-p sto 3-! is: a 9 21;? preseu e fat ei atmo -i t es'tablish the transmission 'inxits, sec- 7 phere via screened openings 3! in one end of the motor 32; and the left side of said piston, that is, the side constituting awall of th'e'cor'n-,

partment III, is subjected to a'relatively low gaseous pressure when the three-wayvalve 99 is opened to interconnect said compartment with the intake manifold or other source of vacuum. When the latter valve is closed, that is, when the solenoid I2I is de-energized, the compartment III is vented to the atmosphere through said valve and the spring '50 within said compartment is then operative to move the piston 3| to the right, Figure 1, to permit a re-engagement of the friction clutch by the operation of its springs.

Describing now the clutchdisengaging and.

throttle controlling operation of the motor 32,

the above referred to leftward movement of thepiston 3I serves torotate the crank 20 to disengage the clutch and'rotate the cam-I1 counterclockwise to bring the stop portion A, B of said cam opposite the accelerator operated crank. 14. Now the motor 40 is at the time energized accord.- ingly immediately after the clutch plates are moved out of contact with each other to reverse the driving torque the above described "force transmitting means interconnecting the piston 42.

and the crank. I4 becomes operative to move said crank andestablish the. transmission. in its high gear setting; and asthis operationof the trans-1 mission is being completed the transmission switch I69 isoperated to makezthe switchlfii, HI and to breakthe switchyI'II', I19; The

switch I61, I'II is broken during the first increr, ment of movement. of the piston 3|; and the switch ,I1I ',i I I9 insuresthrough the intermediary of the vacuum controlled solenoid I2I, a comple-; tion of the high gear transmission operating oper-' ation of themotor 32 .once initiated and despite a certain .operationxof the: governor operated, switch I43 which breaks the electrical circuit during said operation. The latter operatiorrof the switch I43is effected ifVthe-car brakes are suddenly applied to bring the car down below; governor speed as the motorg40 is operating to establish the high gear setting of-the transmi s,-; sion. If this unusual operation ofthe mecha.-

nism is effected then the driver, in order to effect a re-engagement of the clutch after the trans:-.

mission is established in highgear; must depress the accelerator to open the switch 90, 95 after the switch I65, I'II' is closed, Now the breakingof the switch 30, 95' results in" a de-energization of the solenoid, I2I and as described; above this results in a de-energization of the-motor 4!] and a de energizationpf the motor: 32 to initiate a controlled opening of; the throttle.

.. 'Ihe transmission will :now remain. in its highgear setting until the accelerator is again released whereupon the motors 32 and will againbeI energized 'to establish, the transmission in its second gear setting and topperate the clutch andv throttle to, facilitate said operation. Ifither car is then brought to a stop-without neutralizing" the transmission, that is, leaving the shift lever in its automatic setting, the operation of thefluid' coupling of the power plant will obviate a stalling of the engine despite the relatively high gear ratio setting of the transmission, that is, its second gear setting, and despite the fact that the idling engine is at the time directly connected to the then stationary propeller shaft of the vehicle.

There is thus provided a--simple,- effective and efficient manually and power operated mechanism for operating the transmission, clutch and throttle of an automotivevehicleiand'theclutch pedal, the shift lever and the accelerator con-" 12 same the only manually' operated controls of said mechanism. With the mechanism of my invention the driver may manually operate the clutch andthe three speeds forward and reverse transmission in a conventional manner, that is, by operating the clutch pedal and by effecting the H movementof the shift lever; then if he desires an automatic operation of the transmission to alternately establish the same in its second and high gear settings he has only to move the shift lever from its second gear setting to its automatic setting. Thereafter for all normal straight ahead driving of the vehiclethe driver need only operate the accelerator. Briefly. reviewingthe operation of the mechanism. to effect. this shuttling operation, of the transmission between its second and high gear settings it will be assumed that the transmission is established in second gear; then when the car' is speeded up above governor speed and the acceleratoris released the'motors '32. and 40 are energized to first disengage the clutch andsimultaneously operate the-cam 86 as a stop to pre vent an opening of the throttle, and'then op- .1 erate the transmission to establish the same in itshigh' gear setting. As the latter operation is being completed the motors are de-energized,-

the de-energization of the motor 32 initiating a stage operation thereof. It is to be particu- -larly noted that with a normal operation of the car, the cycle of clutch and transmission operating and throttle controlling operations of the power means is completed once initiated and despite a depression of the accelerator during said 'cycle of operations.

Although this invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments,' the principles are susceptible of numerous other applications that will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. The; invention is, therefore, to be limitedionly as indicated by the scope of the appended claims. 7

Having thusdescribed the various features of the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1-. {Inan I automotive vehicle provided with a power plant including a throttle valve, a-change vmission, and means for controlling the operation of said motors, including a three way valve operable to control the flo-wof' power fluid into both of said motors and further including --'a four-way valve for controlling the fiow of power .fluid into and from the transmission operating motor, the power fluid flowing from the latter motor passing through the three-way valve.

2. In an automotive vehicle provided witha power plant including an accelerator, a throttle .valve, a change speed transmission. a gear shift lever, and'a friction clutch; means for operating the transmission including power means for.

alternately-establishing the same mi first one and'th'en the other of two of its settings and for operating the throttle and clutch to facilitate.

for controlling the operationio-iqboth-motors,:a

valve for controlling the operation of the transmission operating motorfthe operation of the lattermotor being dependent" upon the operation of the former valve'whereby the 'clutch'ii's opera-tedin conjunction with an operation of the transmission; together with means, including electrical means, for controlling the operation of said valves.

3. In an automotive vehicle provided with a power plant including an accelerator, an internal combustion engine, a throttle valve, a change speed transmission, a gear shift lever and a friction clutch; means for operating the transmission including power means for alternately establishing the transmission in first one then the other of two of its settings and for operating the throttle and clutch'to facilitate said power operation of the transmission, said power means including a fluid pressure motor operably connected to the throttle and clutch and operative to maintain the throttle closed as the clutch is being disengaged, a fluid pressure motor operably connected to the transmission, fluid transmitting means, including a control valve, interconnecting the latter motor with the aforementioned motor, and means for controlling the operation of said motors including a master valve for controlling the passage of power fluid throughthe fluid transmitting means together with means for controlling theoperation of said valves.

4. In an automotive vehicle three speeds forward and reverse transmission, a throttle, a friction clutch and a gear shift lever; manually and power operated transmission, clutch and throttle operating means including means for operating the throttle and clutch to facilitate a part of theoperation of the transmission, said first mentioned means including manually operated means for operating the transmission to establish the same in any one of its settings, and power means, including a clutch and throttle operating motor and a transmission operating motor, operable upon a part of the latter means and operative to alternately establish the transmission in first one and then the other of two of its settings and means for controlling the operation of said transmission operating motor to successively effect an energization and then a -de.-energization thereof, said control means including a master valve for controlling the operation of both motors, a valve for controlling the operation of the transmission operating motor, and electrical means for controlling the operation of said valve means including a governor operated switch mechanism comprising a plurality of switches, a rotary selector switch mechanism operated by the transmission operating motor and including a plurality of switches one of said switches being electrically connected in series with one of the governor operated switches and another of said switches being electrically connected in series with another of the governor operated switches, manually operated cut in switch means for making possible a controlling operation of the aforementioned and provided with a 14 switch me'chan'isms and a solenoid for controlling the 5 transmission 7 motor 1 controlling valve, :I'sai'd solenoid being, electrically connected in parallel with @the rotary sele'ctorswitch =mechanism and being controlled in part by the governorroperated switch" mechanism;

* Power-means, ope'rative' in. a cycle of ope a double three-way valve for controlling the operation of the double acting motor, and means for controlling the operation of said valve means including a solenoid for controlling the operation of the master'three-way valve, a solenoid and a spring for controlling the operation of the double three-way valve, and electrically interlocked switch means for controlling the operation of said solenoids to automatically efiect first an energization and then a de-energization of said motors.

6. In a, power plant including a change speed transmission and a clutch, power means operative in a cycle of operations for alternately establishing the transmission in first, one and then the other of twosettings and for operating the clutch to facilitate said transmission operations, including a single acting fluid pressure motor operably connected to the clutch, a double acting fluid pressure motor operably connected to the transmission, valve means, including a master three-way valve for controlling the operation of both motors and a double three-way valve for controlling the operation of the transmission operating motor, and electrical means for controlling the operation of said valve means including governor operated switch means comprising a'plurality of switches, a rotary selector switch one of the governor operated switches and another one of which is connected in series with another of the governor operated switches together with a solenoid for operating the double three-way valve, and electrical means connecting one of the governor operated switches with the solenoid and providing an electrical connection which is in parallel with the aforementioned series electrical connections.

'7. In an automotive vehicle provided with a power plant including an accelerator, a gear shift lever, a vehicle speed responsive governor,

a friction clutch and a change speed transmission, power means operable in a cycle of operations, for alternately establishing the transmission in first one and then the other of two of its settings and for operating the clutch to facilitate said operation of the transmission, said power means including a single acting fluid pressure motor operably connected to the clutch,

a double acting fluid pressure motor operably mechanism operated by the transmission oper-' connected, to the transmission, valve means, in-f eluding a master three-way valve for controlling the operating of both motors and a double three way valve vfor controlling the operation of the transmission operated motor; and electrical means for controlling the operation of said valve means including two switches operated by the governor, a rotary selector switch operated by thetransmission operating motor, a. switch op-' erated by the shift lever, two switches operated by the: accelerator, electrical means intercom; necting in series the shift lever operated switch; the selector switch, one of the accelerator operated switches and one of the governor operated switches, and other electrical means intercon-- 5 2,348,435

16 nectingin series the shift lever operated switch, the selector switch, the other accelerator operated switch and the other governor operated switch. r r

' 7 EARL PRICE.

REEERENCESCITED: p V The following references are of record in the file of this patent:.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name 7 V 2,062,104 Prince Nov. 24, 1 936 2,296,290 Mayrath Sept. 22,1942

Hey et al. .a May 9,1944 

